The group now have a challenging week ahead at North Harbour Stadium where a record 10 teams will compete for just one spot at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Mexico 2011.
Oceania’s Referee Development Officer Massimo Raveino and his team have worked hard over the past few days to ensure the group are mentally and physically ready for the tournament.
Among those to feature will be Mike Hester who made history last year at the FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010 by becoming the first New Zealander to take charge of a senior men’s World Cup game and followed this up with another noteworthy appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2010.
He was joined in both South Africa and Abu Dhabi by assistant referees Tevita Makasini (TON) and Jan Hendrik-Hintz (NZL), who will also be officiating at the OFC U-17 qualifiers.
Another of the U-17 officials to have enjoyed an impressive run of achievements is Tahiti’s Norbert Hauata. The 31-year-old is a veteran of three O-League finals — 2008, 2009 and 2010 — and took part in the Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year.
One of Hauata’s assistants in Singapore, Ravinesh Kumar, says he is looking forward to gaining further experience at the U-17 tournament. The Lautoka-based assistant referee has been officiating for five years and says his goal is to emulate fellow Oceania officials who have made it to a FIFA World Cup.
“It is every referee’s dream and I am no different. The next one in 2014 might be too early for me because I am still only young but that’s what I’m going to aim for,” says the 28-year-old.
OFC places high importance on developing world class referees and this has been strongly supported by FIFA through its funding of the Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP). Under the supervision of Raveino, Referee Instructor Neil Poloso and Fitness Trainer Kader Touati, the programme is helping to create a more organised, professional approach to refereeing in the Pacific.
OFC U-17 Championship Match Officials
Andrew ACHARI (FIJ)
Isidore Desire ASSIENE-AMBASSA (NCL)
Mike HESTER (NZL)
John SAOHU (SOL)
Norbert HAUATA (TAH)
Robinson BANGA (VAN)
Terry PIRI (COK)
Ravinesh KUMAR (FIJ)
Jan-Hendrik HINTZ (NZL)
Mark RULE (NZL)
David CHARLES (PNG)
Jackson NAMO (SOL)
Philippe REVEL (TAH)
Tevita MAKASINI (TON)
Referee Assessors
Massimo RAVEINO (TAH)
Neil POLOSO (SOL)
Fitness Instructors
Kader TOUATI (TAH)
Mathew TARO (SOL)